Épisodes

  • Ep 146 Why Do Grades Even Matter Anymore?

    Ep 146 Why Do Grades Even Matter Anymore?
    Jan 19 2026
    Grades were never meant to do this much work.

    In this episode, I reflect on how grading shifted from traditional point-based systems to standards-based grading and grading for learning — and how, in many schools, those frameworks eventually gave way to equity-driven policies that changed what grades actually represent.

    I believe in equity. I believe in standards-based grading. But I also believe we need to be honest about what’s happening when grades stop communicating learning and start communicating compliance, survival, or optics.
    We’ll talk about:
    • why grades feel meaningless to many teachers
    • how student apathy and entitlement didn’t come out of nowhere
    • why parents increasingly see grades as negotiable
    • and how teachers are caught between professional ethics and institutional pressure

    I don’t have a solution by the end of this episode. What I do have is a growing concern that we’re avoiding a necessary conversation — one about accountability, motivation, and what we’re actually teaching students when effort no longer matters.

    If you’ve ever wondered whether grading still serves students the way we hope it does, this episode is for you.

    Chapters:
    00:00 — Why Grades Don’t Mean What They Used To
    03:00 — From Traditional Grading to Grading for Learning
    07:20 — When Equity Grading Took Over
    13:40 — How the System Went Off the Rails
    22:05 — Where This Leaves Teachers and Students


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    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    26 min
  • Ep 145 Getting It All Done: How Teachers Can Plan Without Panic

    Ep 145 Getting It All Done: How Teachers Can Plan Without Panic
    Jan 12 2026
    Getting it all done in teaching often feels impossible—especially in the second half of the school year.

    In this episode, I share a midyear planning roadmap designed for teachers who feel behind on curriculum but still want to finish the year strong without sacrificing their sanity.

    This isn’t about perfect pacing or daily lesson plans. It’s about taking a step back, looking at the big picture, and making intentional decisions about what deserves your time and energy.
    We’ll talk about:
    • How to look back at what you’ve taught without guilt or shame
    • How to prioritize skills using a simple tiered system
    • How to plan around real-life interruptions like breaks, testing, absences, and school events
    • What “good enough” means when time is limited
    • Why flexibility is a strength—not a failure

    I also share how I leave notes for my future self so the same pacing issues don’t repeat year after year—and why reflection is the key to long-term growth as a teacher.

    📄 Free Resource I’ve created a basic planning worksheet that follows the exact process outlined in this episode so you can take action right away. 👉 Free Planning Resource

    Whether you’re in the middle of the year, just starting out, or planning ahead, this episode will help you move forward with clarity, intention, and a lot more grace.

    00:00 – Why Midyear Planning Feels So Hard
    01:35 – What This Planning Method Is (and Isn’t)
    03:23 – Step 1: Look Back Without Shame
    05:04 – Step 2: Rank Skills by Priority
    09:23 – Step 3: Plan With the Calendar (Reality Check)
    14:02 – Planning Around Interrupters
    17:53 – Staying Flexible Without Falling Behind
    20:48 – When You’re Overwhelmed (Mindset Reset)


    I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    27 min
  • Ep 144 Students Aren’t Broken — They’re Responding

    Ep 144 Students Aren’t Broken — They’re Responding
    Jan 5 2026
    In this episode, I talk about the conditions shaping what we’re seeing in classrooms right now—especially around behavior, attention, and regulation—and why so many teachers are quietly questioning themselves because of it.

    This isn’t a rant. It’s not about blaming kids or excusing behavior.

    It’s about reframing what’s happening so teachers can stop internalizing systemic shifts as personal failure—and start making choices that protect their sanity.

    I also share how I’ve adjusted my own classroom practice to stay grounded in a version of teaching that didn’t reset after the pandemic.

    If you’ve been wondering:
    • Why does this feel harder than it should?
    • Am I doing something wrong?
    • How do I keep doing this without burning out?

    This episode is for you.


    I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    19 min
  • Ep 143 Why I Stepped Away and Why I'm Back

    Ep 143 Why I Stepped Away and Why I'm Back
    Dec 29 2025
    After a year and a half away, I’m back—and in this episode, I’m sharing why I stepped away from teaching content, and why I’m returning now.

    This wasn’t a dramatic exit or a burnout spiral. It was a conscious pause. I talk honestly about the pressures of content creation, perfectionism, time, energy, and the emotional cost of always feeling like you need to be “helpful” or have the right answers—especially as a veteran teacher whose experience doesn’t always match the dominant narratives online.

    I also share what hasn’t changed: my teaching philosophy, my commitment to reflection, and my belief that teaching can be challenging and sustainable at the same time.

    This episode sets the tone for what’s ahead—fewer expectations, more honesty, and a lot more respect for capacity.

    If you’ve ever stepped back from something you cared about, or wondered whether it’s possible to come back on your own terms, this episode is for you.


    I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    12 min
  • Ep 142 Navigating School Politics

    Ep 142 Navigating School Politics
    May 16 2024
    Learn how teachers can navigate school politics and prioritize student learning. Just one of the many things teachers need to understand!

    I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com

    Connect with me
    • Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or Stitcher
    • Join my Facebook Group
    • Message me through Instagram



    I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    19 min
  • Candidly Kim - The Point of Lesson Plans

    Candidly Kim - The Point of Lesson Plans
    Apr 23 2024
    Let's get real about lesson plans and whether or not they're worth it!

    I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com

    Connect with me
    • Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or Stitcher
    • Join my Facebook Group
    • Message me through Instagram




    I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    13 min
  • Ep 141 End-of-the year hacks for less stress

    Ep 141 End-of-the year hacks for less stress
    Apr 9 2024
    Teachers, feeling the end-of-year crunch? This episode offers practical tips to not only survive but thrive during the final stretch. Learn how to prepare for what's expected (testing, celebrations), keep yourself calm and collected, and manage a restless classroom. You'll leave with actionable strategies to conquer the last 3 months and head into summer break feeling accomplished and ready to recharge.

    Episode 137 The Best Way to Ensure a Smooth Substitute Day
    Episode 119 End-of-the-year Prep for Teachers

    I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com

    Connect with me
    • Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or Stitcher
    • Join my Facebook Group
    • Message me through Instagram





    I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    20 min
  • Candidly Kim - Master Schedule Time

    Candidly Kim - Master Schedule Time
    Apr 3 2024
    In this episode, we're diving into the nerve-wracking world of master schedule time in schools. It's that crucial period where teachers' assignments, prep periods, and uncertainties about the next academic year are all laid out in those sprawling spreadsheets. Now, for educators facing non-renewal, let me tell you, the stress is real. But don't worry, because I've got your back. I'll guide you through your rights and potential paths forward. Whether it's securing permanent status or advocating for those preferred assignments, I've got some strategies up my sleeve to help you navigate the murky waters of school bureaucracy. And hey, if non-renewal is on the horizon, I've got some tips for broadening your job search and gathering those crucial references. So, tune in and let's make sure you're prepared for whatever the master schedule throws your way.

    Episode 121: Non-renewal notices for teachers and what it means

    Still figuring out lesson planning? Grab my free Lesson Planning Guide here 👉🏼https://teachersneedteachers.com/lessonplan

    I have a new YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com

    Connect with me
    • Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or Stitcher
    • Join my Facebook Group
    • Message me through Instagram
    • Have fun on TikTok



    I have a YouTube channel! Join me over there and subscribe!

    Got questions, feedback, or want to be on the show? You can email me at kim@teachersneedteachers.com
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    16 min